LOOKING GOOD

We don't yet know all the details of the anti-drug program that's being
considered by Bedford officials, but we know we like parts of it already.
The program, to be called "Everyone's Responsible," was introduced by City
Councilwoman Karin Newell in November.

In a follow-up presentation to the council on Dec. 22, Police Chief David
Flory proposed hiring two new officers to help put the program into effect.
Here's something we like: One of those officers would concentrate on the
program in Bedford, and the other would be assigned to the Northeast
Tarrant County Drug Task Force, part of the Tarrant County Narcotics
Intelligence and Coordination Unit.

In recent months, other cities -- using a twisted sort of logic that we
don't quite understand -- have cited increased concern about Northeast
Tarrant County heroin deaths in pulling back officers that had been
assigned to the drug task force. The proposal in Bedford would reinforce
its commitment to that important regional drug-fighting effort and would
add new anti-drug efforts within its own city limits.

Since October 1996, 15 deaths in greater Northeast Tarrant County have been
blamed on heroin, including six in Bedford. Four of those Bedford residents
were younger than 25.

The program being discussed by Flory and Newell would use the slogan "Care,
Watch and React." One of its goals would be to educate Bedford residents
about what signs to look for to detect drug dealing in their neighborhoods.
Newell has promised more details about the proposal, and the council is
expected to discuss it this month.

We know we like what Newell has said: "We're not going to put our heads in
the sand." We're anxious to hear more.

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